Yep a tricky issue. Elders do carry their history and experience known as “wisdom” - but often their physical and mental capacities complicate their capacity to deliver what they have learned. Trump, Biden and a host of other Elders have totally lost the plot, and I hope elder, retired, dental academics don’t fall into the same category. In this modern world, I think the single key attenuating issue should be collaboration - in dental practice (public or private) communication between young and older practitioners - prior to formalising a treatment plan, would allow the most appropriate practitioner to carry out that aspect of the plan which best fits their skill and expertise. Maybe the same approach applies in dental academics. Cheers, Clive
It's a good point Clive - balancing the wisdom of experience with the physical aspects (at least from a clinical perspective). In sport there is an adage about going out on top - although many seem to go well past their prime in that arena too.
Hi Matt,
Yep a tricky issue. Elders do carry their history and experience known as “wisdom” - but often their physical and mental capacities complicate their capacity to deliver what they have learned. Trump, Biden and a host of other Elders have totally lost the plot, and I hope elder, retired, dental academics don’t fall into the same category. In this modern world, I think the single key attenuating issue should be collaboration - in dental practice (public or private) communication between young and older practitioners - prior to formalising a treatment plan, would allow the most appropriate practitioner to carry out that aspect of the plan which best fits their skill and expertise. Maybe the same approach applies in dental academics. Cheers, Clive
It's a good point Clive - balancing the wisdom of experience with the physical aspects (at least from a clinical perspective). In sport there is an adage about going out on top - although many seem to go well past their prime in that arena too.